Little Abe | Page 7

which to
win bread and comforts; while with a twisting course there runs along
the wealthy dale a little river, from which these giant mills suck up
their daily drink. Across the narrow valley and you are into a dense
woody growth, which climbs the hills to their very crown, and sweeps
away, mingling with the sky.
To this village the Lockwood family removed; and coming more
directly under religious influences, the father very soon became
converted, and united with the Methodist Church, along with his wife.
This had a great influence on Abe for good; he began to attend the
Sunday-school, which was conducted in a room, in what was called the
Steps Mill, on the road between Berry Brow and Honley. This was
Abe's college; here he began, and here he finished his education; no
other school did he ever attend; and for what little knowledge he had,
he was indebted to the kindness of those who taught in that school; yet

all he learnt here was to read. Writing was a branch of study which Abe
thought altogether beyond his power; many times he endeavoured to
learn the mysterious art, but after struggling on as far as the stage of
pothooks and crooks, he gave up in disgust, and never tried again. He
used to say he firmly believed the Lord never meant him to be a writer,
or he would have given him a talent for it. Now in this Abe was
certainly labouring under a false impression, and underrating his own
ability; he was as well able to learn the art of writing as many others in
similar circumstances. How many persons have we known who have
grown up to manhood and womanhood, before they knew one letter
from another, and yet they have commenced to learn, and persevered in
the work, until they have attained at least a moderate proficiency, and
some even more than that. What Abe lacked more than talent, was a
determination to learn; for if he had been resolved, he could have
become a good penman as well as others; in this he was to blame,
whether he thought so or not. Education can only be had by those who
will work for it, and considering its immense value to every person, all
who neglect it are blameworthy, and must pay the penalties, as Abe did
all through his life.
CHAPTER III.
His Conversion.
People talk of great changes in life, and point to periods and events
which seem to have turned their whole course into a different channel;
but there is nothing that can happen to any individual which will make
such an alteration in his life as conversion. Thousands of persons who
had been almost useless in the world, after that event have become
valuable members of society; others who have neglected and abused
their talents and opportunities, have become thoughtful and diligent;
others who have lived in riot and sin, wasting the energies of body and
mind, have learnt to live at peace with all men, and walk in the fear of
God and hope of heaven. Having become new creatures, they have
shown it in every line of their conduct. "Old things have passed away,
and behold, all things have become new."

It was never more strikingly illustrated than in the case of Abraham
Lockwood. For a length of time after he had begun to attend
Sunday-school, there was a manifest difference in Abe's manner. Not
that he was really living a better life, for he was just as sinful as before,
only he was not now thoughtless; he might go to the ale-house with his
associates, but he went home to think about it after; he might swear and
laugh like the rest of them when they were together, but he was no
sooner alone than he felt the stings of a remorseful conscience; he was
gradually getting into that state when a man dreads to be alone with
himself; there was always something speaking to him from within, and
the voice was getting stronger and stronger every week, till sometimes
it fairly startled him, and made him afraid; often he would try to run
away from it, but it was of no use; the moment he stopped, panting
from the exertion, it was there again; many a time he tried to deaden the
voice in the deafening noise of the mill, but the more he endeavoured to
destroy it, by some mysterious contradiction, the more intently he
found himself listening for it; it spoilt all the pleasures of sin by its
presence; it was with him night and day; it followed him in his sleep,
and was waiting for him when he awoke; it made him miserable. Poor
Abe was under conviction of sin; he was